Though it may fly in the face of common logic, very few objects
only American watchmakers in a changing landscape. “We’re really
are more naturally crafted to embody the spirit of an anniversary
the only company in the U.S. that is actually manufacturing high-
than a guitar. In ways often disregarded or forgotte n , the shape
grade mechanical watch movements anymore,” Murphy explains.
and construction of a guitar are an unusually fitting representation
“We put a lot of work into the design of the mechanisms and the
of both harmony and time, with the theory behind a guitar holding
hand-finishing of the movements. We also make the dial of the
mu c h more knowle dge th an i mme di ate l y co m e s t o m ind . The
watch, which is hand cu t w i t h e n gine turning, known in French
gu i tar ’ s m o s t i m p o r t a n t p re d e c e s s o r wa s p ro b a b l y t h e l y re,
as guilloché.” The lost art of guilloché i s o ne of the hallmarks
especially the seven - stri n ge d l y re of th e an c i e nt G re e k s. The
of M ur p hy ’s cra f t, a nd it p lays heavily i nto the two millionth
philosophers of that e ra tel l u s th at each of the strings of the
guitar’s design. He explains it thus: “The process includes cutting
lyre was meant to represent either the sun or the moon or one of
geometric patterns into the dial, which most companies mimic by
the five wandering planets visible to the human eye. Along with
stamping. Ours are cut line by line. It creates sharper peaks and
the teachings on music attributed to Orpheus, there was a long
valleys, so it reflects light in a more beautiful way.” The project
tradition bolstered by the geometer Pythagoras insisting that a
presented a series of e n g i n e e r i n g c h a l l enges, with Martin and
music or a harmony existed between the heavenly spheres by merit
RGM working together to find solutions that would elevate rather
of their relationships to one another, and the strings of the lyre
than minimize their unique set of skills. “We needed to make a
were tangible representatives of that higher order. The shape of
watch for the two millionth guitar that would fit into the headstock
the week was also included in this far-reaching philosophy, which
while integrating into the guitar in a way in which the guitar and
is why the seven days of th e we e k are named for the Sun (i.e.,
the watch b ot h wo r ke d we ll and b e lo nged together. We had to
Sunday), the Moon (i.e., Monday), and the planets before returning
build a housing for the watch in order to save space. Two of the
to Sunday—not unlike the Do-Re-Mi scale of the solfège or octave
guitar tuners are integrated into the watch case itself, and the
in which a note asce n ds th e mu s i cal scale to ar r ive ba ck at a
other four tuners—which we helped make—are separate. There
higher, brighter form of Do. Certain moral and philosophical beliefs
were challenges there and things we had never done before, but
were base d up on re co gn i ti o n of th i s patte rn , though the most
that was a challenge we were able to conquer nicely.” Martin’s
pertinent takeaway here is that craftspeople of all ages have always
Ti m Te e l explains, “Our technical ch a l l enge was to figure o ut
worked to inject their finest creations with the beauty and order
how to incorporate a tuning gear design into the mounting piece
embodied by the mysteries and marvels found while observing the
that wo u ld h o l d t h e c l o ck while also giving us something that
blossoming, regenerative world. The seven vowels of the ancient
would look good and function well. Working with RGM was a great
tongue were also attributed to these celestial bodies, and the idea
experience. I personally l ea r n e d a l ot, and I think it was a fun
was popular and all-pervading enough within the popular culture
project for them too, because I don’t think it was something that’s
that archaeologists have occasionally recovered ancient jewelry in
ever been done before. When we got into brainstorming sessions,
which the seven vowels are placed along a series of gilded ladder
everyone was able to contribute in their unique ways.” But the
steps—and the musical scale, naturally, takes its inspiration from
design elements went well beyond the headstock. “We wanted to
the ladder (Latin scala, meaning “ladder” or “flight of stairs”).
work on the styling so it would blend in and look appropriate,” says
The duties for crafting many of the timepiece and design elements
Murphy, “so we also worked on the guilloché, or engine-turned,
fell on the shoulders of the venerable Roland Murphy, whose RGM
soundhole ring as well as other engine-turned plates. We’ve had a
Watches is based in Lancaster, Pa. To put Murphy’s pedigree into
pretty big role in working with Martin on this, and everyone at RGM
perspective, watch aficionado Michael Clerizo, writing for the Wall
has been really enthusiastic about the project. Martin’s certainly
Street Journal, has called Murphy “America’s preeminent master
an old company that makes beautiful things, just like we like to
watchmaker.” Educate d at th e n ow- defunct Bowman Technical
make beautiful things. We’ve been working on this for a couple
School that was in Lancaster, Pa., Murphy also studied at WOSTEP
of years now, and it’s a great project because it’s about making
in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in the mid-eighties before working for a
something special more than about anything else. It’s about trying
Swiss company in America.
to create something that will wow people. I think this project will get
In 1992, he founded RGM, and he is noted for being one of the
everyone’s attention.”
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